Body builders: Making artificial organs from cells

Ready-made organs have been a science fiction fantasy for decades. New “bioartificial” organs, made from plastic that’s seeded with stem cells, are starting to make that futuristic dream a reality. Since the stem cells come from the transplant recipient, the body’s immune system doesn’t reject the artificial organ. Rerouted blood supplies into the artificial organ indicate that the body treats the transplant like regular living tissue—although scar tissue does form around its plastic scaffolding. Scientists have used the stem cell seeding technique to successfully transplant artificial bladders and windpipes into human patients, and they’re now working on growing more complex organs.